MITT TO SPEAK – AT 10:18 A.M.  ET:  It won't be a pleasant day in Republican politics.  From NBC News: 

Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will deliver a scorching indictment of Donald Trump on Thursday, calling the candidate a "phony" and a "fraud" who'd threaten America's future.

Romney is due to speak Thursday in Utah at the Hinckley Institute of Politics Forum on the state of the 2016 presidential race. Already a vocal critic of Trump, excerpts released ahead of the speech show Romney will go a step further in his attacks by accusing the GOP frontrunner of "playing the American public for suckers."

The repudiation of Trump — who endorsed Romney's 2012 run — will be the latest in a growing anti-Trump movement among some Conservatives.

Romney will harken back to a 1964 Ronald Reagan address in saying that America faces "another time for choosing" that could have "profound consequences" for the Republican Party and the country.

The Paris and San Bernardino attacks, China's assertiveness and North Korea's nuclear tests show we live in "troubled and dangerous times," Romney will say, adding that he believes America's future can be better "if we make the right choices."

He'll make the case that the real-estate tycoon is not the right choice.

COMMENT:  This is high-risk stuff.  On the one hand, Romney can further divide the party, setting off a mean-spirited debate, while Hillary Clinton, the real opponent, comes away unscathed.

On the other hand, Romney can lead a successful rebellion.  The Trump people, including all the new voters Trump has brought in, can leave, or turn against the Republicans, and possibly form a third-party movement.  Following today's Romney speech will be the GOP debate tonight. 

There'll be no shortage of drama today.  I wonder how many political junkies will call in sick, and stay home to watch.

March 3,  2016